Look It Up!

This enlightening grace story was told to me by my friend, Shiela, a Sunday school teacher for tweens.

She asked her class, “If you want to know the correct meaning and spelling of words, what would you do?” 

“Look it up in the dictionary,” Jolo, the smartest student, answered.  

“Good. And if you want to know the right way to act and behave, what would you do?” 

Answers were varied: “Ask my Mom.” “Ask Lolo!” “Ask Kuya!” 

Jolo stood up again and said, “Look it up in the Bible.” 

Children as young as tweens or even younger need to learn that the “manual” for good behavior is the Bible. 

Shiela took the opportunity to read to them a simple verse that specifies how to act and behave: “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” (1 John 3:18 NLT)  She then gave examples of loving by action.  

God’s Word is carved in stone—it cannot be changed or erased. As we go through verses upon verses, we read all the age-old principles that should guide our acts in both private and public. 

On justice: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” (Proverbs 31:8-9) 

On debts, taxes, and attitude toward government: “Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.” (Romans 13:7) 

When in doubt or unsure about how to handle things, we can take a cue from young Jolo, “Look it up in the Bible!”